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Mountain Vista Blog

6 Christmas Safety Tips

Thanksgiving is in the books, leftovers are in the fridge and we're finally recovering from our turkey comas. Thanksgiving weekend is a much needed/deserved break from our busy lives, but it's also a great time to decorate our homes for Christmas. Whether you're decorating with family, or decorating to get away from the in-laws, we wanted to share a few Christmas decorating safety tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season.

Don't Overload Electrical Sockets

With Christmas lights lighting up your home, kitchen appliances working overtime, and a bunch of new gadgets entering your home, December is a dangerous month for electrical fires. Keeping your electrical sockets properly loaded is important to prevent electrical fires. Never plug in more than one extension cord or power strip per socket. Also never plug a space heater into an extension cord. Always plug space heaters directly into the socket.

Turn Christmas Lights Off at Night/Set Automatic Timers on Lights

Christmas lights look better at night, obviously, but leaving them on overnight increases the risk for electrical fires. While sleeping comfortably in your bedroom, there's no telling when a light can short and start a fire, and how quickly that fire can spread. Aside from the safety aspect, it also can end up being relatively expensive.

We know waking up in the morning to see your Christmas tree illuminating the living room is a pretty sight, so an alternative is investing in automatic timers on lights. You can set the timers to turn on and off at certain times, so you can enjoy those Christmas lights with peace of mind.

Check The Area Around Your Fireplace

Your fireplace is a great way to stay warm and get cozy while watching your favorite Christmas movie with the family. Before you light up the fire, make sure the area around your fireplace is clear. With presents and additional decorations, it's important to remove any greens (including your Christmas tree), papers or other materials that can catch fire.

Flame Resistant Trees

If buying a live tree make sure it is fresh by checking for any brown spots and strong needles. Fresh needles are difficult to break or pull off. Fresh trees are much more resistant to fires, but if you do choose an artificial tree make sure it has the "fire resistant" label on it. Also, never put electric lights on a metal tree. That can become a serious electrocution hazard!

When Using Real Candles

Real candles can help bring the holiday spirit into your home, but they can be hazardous if not used properly. Use non-flammable holders and keep them away from trees, curtains and drapes.

Protect Your Home While You're Away

Many families like to travel for the holidays, which makes it a great time for burglars. If you're planning on leaving, ask a neighbor to check in on your house every day or two. They can check your mail, make sure everything stays locked, and can alert the police of any suspicious activity around your home. You can also install smart security features such as video doorbells. Video doorbells, along with a few wireless video monitors around your home and you can see exactly who's coming and going.

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